Children's Home run by Homes 2 Inspire Limited in Somerset

Inspection report for children’s home: 2732313 1 Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited Full inspection Inspected under the social care common inspection framework

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Information about this children’s home

This home registered in June 2023 to care for three children with emotional and behavioural needs. At the time of the inspection, two children were living in this home.

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Information about this children’s home

There is a suitably qualified and experienced manager.

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Overall experiences and progress of

children and young people, taking into account

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good

How well children and young people are helped and protected good

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good

The effectiveness of leaders and managers good

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good

The children’s home provides effective services that meet the requirements for good.

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good

Overall judgement at last inspection: not applicable

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good

Enforcement action since last inspection: none Inspection report for children’s home: 2732313 2

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Two children have come to live at this home since it registered. The manager and staff have shown great commitment to both children. They have worked hard to build positive relationships with the children. This has helped the children to make progress and feel well supported and cared for. This is the most stable home children have lived after experiencing a number of moves before coming to live here.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One child said that they like living in this home. They feels that they are well cared for. They like spending time with their friends and they think that their carer’s are supportive of them spending time with the people who are important to them.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Both children have made good progress since living in this home. Their outcomes have improved, and they are healthier. The children are both engaging in education after having a period away from school. They are enjoying different activities. One child has enjoyed learning to bake and do DIY. This child is planning to do a science experiment about different ways to make mayonnaise. The children eat a varied diet and are encouraged to lead a healthy lifestyle. One child is accessing a local gym with their friends.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

One professional commented that the child is spending time with staff doing activities much more than before. The carers encourage her to try new things, and they have been able to talk about the things that have happened much more than before.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Staff are respectful and they value children’s views. Through listening to the children, they have adapted the support that is provided to them. Staff are thoughtful about children’s needs and how best to care for them. They have regular conversations with children about family time, activities, and education. This important level of support helps children to feel safe, loved and well cared for. Staff advocate for children during meetings, when this is needed.

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Overall experiences and progress of children and young people: good

Overall, the home environment is warm and welcoming and staff ensure living areas are comfortable, clean and tidy. Staff were preparing home cooked chicken Kiev’s and vegetables for the evening meal. Staff do their best to overcome any challenges in the environment which may occur from damage or children preferring a sparser bedroom environment. Staff work hard to overcome these challenges and provide good support to children to help them to progress in these areas.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Children are provided with positive routines and boundaries. The manager and staff have developed clear plans to support children with their behaviour. This means that the children know what action carers will take in response to their behaviour. There Inspection report for children’s home: 2732313 3 are regular conversations with children about their behaviour and the impact of this. This helps children to learn from their experiences and make progress.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

There is regular communication between the staff and other professionals. The staff have developed strong working relationships with professionals. This means that there is a team around each child who are all working together to support them, and that children feel safe in this home. Therapeutic support is available to the children through child and adolescent mental health services and the clinical team who are involved. There is a lot of thought given to other agencies who may need to be involved to support the children. Prompt referrals are made to request this support when it is identified.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

Although there have been some serious incidents, the frequency of these have significantly reduced. The manager and staff work hard to tackle any risks that children are experiencing so that children can learn from them. Staff provide children with a high level of support and commitment that helps to reduce any risks to them. Staff have worked hard to build positive relationships with both children so that they know them well and how to keep them safe. Staff and managers work in a preventative way to help to ensure that risks are managed well and, whenever possible, are identified early so that action can be taken to prevent them from escalating.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

When children go missing, staff take prompt action to look for children. They search for them in the local community and talk to people who the children know. Staff speak to other agencies and the police when this is necessary. One child’s risk of going missing has significantly reduced since living in this home. Physical interventions have been used on some occasions. These have been used when it is absolutely necessary in order to keep children and staff safe.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

When safeguarding concerns are identified, they are reported promptly. There is good communication between staff and social workers; this helps to keep children safe. Staff talk to the children openly about any worries for their safety and respond sensitively to information that children share with them. Staff develop plans together with the children to keep them safe. When concerns have been raised about members of staff, these have been investigated thoroughly. Risk assessments are clear and thorough. Managers and staff have a good understanding of risk and how to keep children safe.

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How well children and young people are helped and protected: good

When any incidents occur, there is prompt communication with other agencies to ensure that they are informed. One professional commented, ‘The way that staff are working together with all the other professionals is great; they are really reflective and really think about the child.’ There are regular meetings held with other agencies and the managers are proactive in asking for meetings when they are worried about children. This means that there is a balance around risk and that any responsibility for safeguarding is shared equally between all the professionals. Inspection report for children’s home: 2732313 4

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager knows the children very well. He spoke positively about them both and aspires for their futures. The manager is involved in the day-to-day care of the children. During the inspection, the manager was observed to interact positively with one child when they needed support. This meant that the child was able to go out feeling calmer and could continue with their day.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager is suitably experienced and qualified. There is a stable team of staff, who have worked consistently with the children. Staff spoke positively about the manager, saying that they receive good levels of support and training. Regular supervision is provided to them, and this helps them to develop their practice. They think that the manager is very approachable and easy to talk to.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

Leaders and managers use relevant research to improve the experiences of children. This helps to develop the skills and practice of staff. They respond positively when any new needs emerge, for example by supporting children through any assessments and sourcing additional training in specific areas when needed. Staff adapt and create new plans around children’s health and emotional needs.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

The manager works in partnership with people who are important to the children. He has regular contact with social workers and other professionals. There is clear evidence of managers working in partnership with the local authority to develop agreed plans for children. There is good management oversight within the home’s documentation. Monitoring and review systems are in place to make continuous improvements, so that there are positive levels of reflection and learning.

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The effectiveness of leaders and managers: good

There was one discrepancy identified within staff recruitment records which the manager plans to address. Inspection report for children’s home: 2732313 5

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Information about this inspection

Inspectors have looked closely at the experiences and progress of children and young people, using the social care common inspection framework. This inspection was carried out under the Care Standards Act 2000 to assess the effectiveness of the service, how it meets the core functions of the service as set out in legislation, and to consider how well it complies with the Children’s Homes (England) Regulations 2015 and the ‘Guide to the Children’s Homes Regulations, including the quality standards’. Inspection report for children’s home: 2732313 6

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Children’s home details

Registered provider: Homes 2 Inspire Limited

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Children’s home details

Registered provider address: Homes 2 Inspire Limited, Lumonics House, Valiant Office Suites, Valley Drive, Swift Valley Industrial Estate, Rugby CV21 1TQ

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Inspector

Sarah Sheffield, Social Care Inspector Inspection report for children’s home: 2732313 7 to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children’s social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, further education and skills, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It assesses council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection.

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Inspector

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Inspector

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Inspector

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